Beverage can drinking holder

ABSTRACT

A beverage can drinking holder including an annular sleeve encircling the upper end margin of a beverage can wherein the sleeve has an interior surface gradually tapering radially inwardly progressively upwardly for receiving and seating the upper end edge of the can. The sleeve includes an annular upper end edge forming a drinking lip encircling the sleeve and spaced above the upper edge of the can a distance sufficient to provide an overflow reservoir for receiving an expanding volume of foam and beverage from the can below. In addition, a sharp rigid canpiercing element is carried within the sleeve for driving an opening into the top of the can. A stein or mug-like holder assembly includes a pair of spaced annular members for receiving the opposite ends of the can wherein one of the members is movable between advanced and retracted positions to permit insertion of the can therebetween and subsequent holding of the can by moving the movable member to its advanced position.

United States Patent 91 Katzakian Jan. 8, 1974 BEVERAGE CAN DRINKING HOLDER [76] Inventor: John Katzakian, 3411 Arden Creek [57] B C Sacramento Cahf' 95825 A beverage can drinking holder including an annular [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1972 sleeve encircling the upper end margin of a beverage can wherein the sleeve has an interior surface gradu- [211 Appl' 22942l "ally tapering radially inwardly progressively upwardly for receiving and seating the upper end edge of the [52] US. Cl. 222/86 can. The sleeve includes an annular upper end edge [51] Int. Cl B67b 7/28 forming a drinking lip encircling the sleeve and spaced [58] Field of Search above the upper edge of the can a distance sufficient 222/85-89, 474, 570, 89, 566-574; 220/85 to provide an overflow reservoir for receiving an ex- H, 90.2 panding volume of foam and beverage from the can below. In addition, a sharp rigid can-piercing element [5 6] References Cited is carried within the sleeve for driving an opening into UNITED STATES PATENTS the top of the can. A stein or mug-like holder assem- 2,094,869 1 0 1937 Ballard; 222/89 includes a Pair, of Spaced annular for 2,896,812 Papmcki u 220/85 H ceivmg the opposite ends of the can wherein one of 3,257,025 6/1966 Jolly 220/85 H the members 15 movable between advanced and 3,184,110 5/1965 Gombar et a] 222/86 tra t d positions to p rmit insertion of the canthere- Prir n q r 'y Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner- Norman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney-Paul D. Flehr et al.

between-and subsequent holding of the can by moving the movable member to its advanced position.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures.

1 BEVERAGE CAN DRINKING HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INvENTIoN This invention pertains to a beverage can drinking holder and pouring lip attachment particularly useful in conjunction with present-day beverage cans.

Heretofore, various attempts have been made to apply handles to the side of a drinking can in a manner which is relatively inexpensive and stylish. In general, most of these attachment devices have been unsatisfactory for one reason or the other and, according to the present invention, an improved drinking can holder providing a satisfactory pouring lip, thermal insulation to the drinking can which is being drunk, and a general stein-like appearance has been provided. Further, according to the invention, there has been provided a beverage can holder incorporating an elongated canpiercing element carried by the holder which permits the person to drink directly from the can with liquid dispensed over the pouring lip of the holder rather than the can.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS In general, a beverage can drinking holder has been provided featuring a sleeve having an internal diameter adapted to receive and seat the upper end ofa beverage can therein while, at the upper end of the sleeve, a drinking lip is formed.

In addition to the above, the beverage can drinking holder preferably includes means for piercing the top surface of the can and for spreading the top can surface open to provide access to the contents of the can. it is further preferred to support the drinking sleeve above noted in a stein-like holder comprised of a rigid frame member adapted to be disposed alongside the outside surface ofa beverage can and an elongate handle member secured rigidly to the frame member to form a muglike handle to be gripped with a persons fingers disposed between the frame member and the handle. This scheme preferably includes anannular base member adapted to receive and seat the bottom of the can therein as well as the annular top sleeve member noted above adapted to receive and seat the top of the can therein. The sleeve preferably further includes means coupling one of the annular members to move between advanced and retracted positions relative to its respective end of the can to permit insertion of the can into the other of the annular members followed by movement of the one member to its advanced position to engage and enclose its associated end of the can.

In general. it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved drinking can holder and pouring lip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a beverage can drinking holder of a stein-like nature adapted to receive a beverage can therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steinlike holder with thermally insulating qualities to keep the beverage in the can cold or hot.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a beverage can drinking holder forming an elevated rim about the upper end of the can to provide, an overflow reservoir for receiving foam and expanding volume of beverage from the open can.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a beverage can drinking holder including a can lidpiercing element disposed remote from the drinking lip of a sleeve seated about the-upper end of the can.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become more readily evident from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying draw- Ings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE, DRAWINGS ing another embodiment of the invention characterized v by thermal insulation for the inserted can.

DETAILED DESCRlPTlON OF PREFERRED EMBODlMENTS A stein-like beverage can drinking holder assembly 10 comprises an elongate, rigid frame member 11 adapted to be disposed lengthwise alongside the outside surface of a beverage can 12 to be held by assembly 10. An elongate handle member 13 is secured rig idly to frame member 11 by means of the transversely extending support portions 14 embedded into handle member 13 at its upper and lower ends.

Supports 14 serve to space handle member 13 from frame member 11 by a distance sufficient to accommodate the fingers of a person's hand in the region 16 so as to provide a mug-like handle to be gripped with a person's fingers-disposed between frame member 11 and handle member 13.

An annular base member 17 is formed with a cupshaped interior 18 adapted to receive and seat the bottom end of can 12 therein. Thus, the interior surfaces of the side walls of the cup-shaped interior 18 are of a plastic material which is free to give toa limited extent to provide gripping of the bottom of can 12.

An annular top sleeve member 19 includes an annular tapered interior surface 21 adapted to receive and seat the upper end edge or top of can 12 therein. Thus, surface 21 is gradually tapered radially inwardly as it extends progressively upwardly. The upper edge ofcan 12 and interior surface 21 are of materials for mutually deforming together to provide a liquid seal therebetween. Thus, for example, surface 21 is of a plastic material having limited compliance and resilience to permit a can 12 to be forced into sleeve 19 and readily releasably held therein relatively securely.

Sleeve 19 includes an upper annular rounded edge 22 forming a drinking lip encircling sleeve 19 and disposed above the upper end edge 23 of can 12 forming a seal with surface 21. Drinking lip 22 is spaced sufficiently to form an overflow reservoir for receiving foam and expanding volume of beverage from can 12 upon opening same.

Means coupling one of the annular members to move between advanced and retracted positions relativeto its respective end of the can have been provided to permit insertion of the can into the other of the annular members so that subsequent thereto the movable annular member is moved to its advanced position to engage and enclose its associated end of the can.

In short, either base members 17 or sleeve member 19 must be movably disposed in order toproperly insert can 12 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 1, means are provided for pivoting base member 17 between an advanced position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 and a retracted position as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1. Thus, base member 17 is carried on the end of a pivot arm 24 and supported by pivot pin 26 extending through handle 13.

Accordingly, where a can 12 has been previously opened for drinking, it can be first inserted into sleeve 19 and seated against the interior surface 21 while base member 17 is moved out of the way to its retracted position. Then base member 17 is pivoted to its advanced position engaging the bottom of can 12. As thus arranged, assembly forms a mug-like holder for can 12.

In addition to the above, a stein-like cover 27 forms a lid which includes a recessed seat 28 formed around the interior of its open end and taperedprogressively radially inwardly so as to fit in protective relation tightly around the exterior periphery of the drinking lip portion 22. A pivot arm 29 extends from lid 27 to handle 13 whereby a depending mounting tab 31 extends downwardly into a slot (not shown) in the upper-end of handle member 13 whereby pivot pin 32 serves to pivotally support arm 29 in carrying lid 27 between open and closed positions. Pivot arm 29 includes a portion 290 extending beyond handle member 13 to form a lever portion disposed in position relative to handle member 13 to permit lever portion 29a to be operated by the thumb of a persons hand when holding handle member 13.

As thus arranged, there has been provided an improved stein-like beverage can holder assembly 10 which readily facilitates the insertion and removal of beverage can 12 into and out of the convergent seating side walls 18, 21 respectively of base member 17 and sleeve member 19 and in which a drinking lip 22 encircles the entire upper periphery of sleeve 19 in sufficiently spaced relation from the beverage can as to place the persons lips well clear of any imperfections in the can edge 23 and to provide an overflow reservoir for foam and beverage.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the holder assembly 10 in FIG. 1 is modified to the extent shown in FIG. 2 by including in upper sleeve member 19 means for piercing the top of a beverage can 12 so as to open same as can 12 is inserted into sleeve member 19. Accordingly, similar parts appearing in FIG. 2 as'previously described are now shown in FIG. 2 in conjunction with the use of a prime mark Upper sleeve member 19 of FIG. 1 has been modified and is represented as the upper sleeve member 33 having a further elongated interior surface 34, the upper end of which mounts radially outwardly protruding tangs 36 of a can-piercing element 37 as by means of rivets 38. The piercing element 37 includes a curved blade which tapers to a sharp penetrating point 39 and is preferably of a material, such as steel, which retains its point and which has sufficient rigidity to pierce the top surface of a beverage can 12.

The blade 41 of element 37 includes a radially inwardly deformed wedging leaf 42 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which serves to gradually, increasingly deflect the partially severed can lid portion 43 (FIG. 3) as the piercing element 37 is forced further and further into can 12. In this manner, the can will be opened relatively widely so as to permit a free flow of beverage from the can as it is drunk.

As arranged in FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be readily evident that the assembly is designed for a person drinking from his right hand since the opening 44 will discharge the liquid to the region of the drinkers lower lip as is normally experienced when drinking from a drinking glass.

According to another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, a beverage can drinking holder is shown for providing a drinking lip 46 encircling the entire circumference of a can 47 and spaced sufficiently above the can to provide an overflow reservoir for expanding foam and beverage. Thus, a retaining sleeve 48, formed with gradually tapering radially inwardly progressively upwardly interior side walls 49, serves to receive the upper end of a beverage can 47 as it is pierced by means of a piercing element 51 or the type described above with respect to FIG. 2 and attached as by rivets 52 to the side wall 49 of sleeve 48. Accordingly, as the wedging leaf 53 reaches the upper surface of lid 54 a portion 54a of the lid will be driven downwardly and away so as to spread the opening thus formed and permit beverage to be drunk from lip 46.

According to another embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, a stein-like hand-held beverage can drinking holder is shown similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but with the provision of means for providing thermal insulation to the can so as to keep the can either cold or hot as desired. Thus, an annular sleeve 56 of heat-reflective material, such as aluminum, extends from the annular top sleeve member 57 to the base member 58 into sealing relation therewith at 59 simply by wedging the upper edge of the side wall of base member 58 between can 12 and sleeve 56. The upper end of sleeve 56 is embedded in the top sleeve member 57 whereby, upon sealing the bottom of sleeve 56, an annular zone 61 of entrapped air is formed encircling can 12 between the sleeve and the can. In this way,'can 12 can be thermally preserved.

Accordingly, from the foregoing it will be understood that there has been provided an improved hand-held beverage can holder for either simple drinking as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or as used with a steinlike assembly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. It will also be readily evident that the device is readily applicablefor use with either beverage cans of the type which are pre opened simply by hand or can be opened by means of the piercing element 37 as shown in FIG. 2 or piercing element 51 of FIG. 4.

I claim:

1. A beverage can drinking holder comprising an elongate, rigid frame member adapted to be disposed lengthwise alongside the outside surface of a beverage can to be held by said holder, an elongate rigid handle member secured rigidly to. said frame member to form a mug-like handle to be gripped with a person's fingers disposed between said rigid members, an annular coaster shaped base member having co axially extending sidewalls and adapted to receive and seat the bottom of the can therein, an annular top sleeve member adapted to receive and seat the top of the can therein, said sleeve having an annular upper edge forming an unobstructed drinking lip encircling said sleeve and disposed above the upper end edge of the can, means coupling one of said annular members to pivot between advanced and retracted position relative to its respective end of the can to permit insertion of the can into the other of said annular members followed by movement of said one member to its advanced position to engage and enclose the side wall of its associated end of the can.

2. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further comprising a pivot arm extending between said handle member and said one of said annular members, and means pivotally mounting an end of said arm to said handle.

3. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further including a lid formed to seat in protective relation downwardly around the exterior upper edge margin of said lip, a pivot arm extending from said lid to said handle member, and pivot'means coupling said arm to said handle member, said arm having a portion normally extending laterally beyond said handle member to form a lever portion disposed in position relative to said handle and pivot means to permit said lever portion to be operated by the thumb of a persons hand while holding said handle member.

4. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further including an annularsleeve of heat-reflective material extending from one of said annular members to the other into sealing engagement therewith and.

forming an annular zone of entrapped air encircling the can between the last named sleeve and said can whereby to provide thermal insulation, said sleeve depending from said top sleeve member a predetermined distance serving to dispose the upper edge of said annular base member in a wedged position interposed between said heat-reflective sleeve and the can to form a seal therebetween for entrapping air around the can.

5. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further including a can-piercing element terminating in a sharp rigid point and carried within said upper annular sleeve member, said element having a separate wedging portion integral thereto and disposed above the point of said element to deflect a portion of the can lid radially inwardly to form an enlarged opening in the top of the can.

6. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further including an annular sleeve of heat-reflective material extending from one of said annular members to the other into sealing engagement therewith and forming an annular zone of thermal insulation encircling the can between the last named said sleeve and said can. 

1. A beverage can drinking holder comprising an elongate, rigid frame member adapted to be disposed lengthwise alongside the outside surface of a beverage can to be held by said holder, an elongate rigid handle member secured rigidly to said frame member to form a mug-like handle to be gripped with a person''s fingers disposed between said rigid members, an annular coaster shaped base member having co-axially extending sidewalls and adapted to receive and seat the bottom of the can therein, an annular top sleeve member adapted to receive and seat the top of the can therein, said sleeve having an annular upper edge forming an unobstructed drinking lip encircling said sleeve and disposed above the upper end edge of the can, means coupling one of said annular members to pivot between advanced and retracted position relative to its respective end of the can to permit insertion of the can into the other of said annular members followed by movement of said one member to its advanced position to engage and enclose the side wall of its associated end of the can.
 2. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further comprising a pivot arm extending between said handle member and said one of said annular members, and means pivotally mounting an end of said arm to said handle.
 3. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further including a lid formed to seat in protective relation downwardly around the exterior upper edge margin of said lip, a pivot arm extending from said lid to said handle member, and pivot means coupling said arm to said handle member, said arm having a portion normally extending laterally beyond said handle member to form a lever portion disposed in position relative to said handle and pivot means to permit said lever portion to be operated by the thumb of a person''s hand while holding said handle member.
 4. A beverage can drinking holder according to claiM 1 further including an annular sleeve of heat-reflective material extending from one of said annular members to the other into sealing engagement therewith and forming an annular zone of entrapped air encircling the can between the last named sleeve and said can whereby to provide thermal insulation, said sleeve depending from said top sleeve member a predetermined distance serving to dispose the upper edge of said annular base member in a wedged position interposed between said heat-reflective sleeve and the can to form a seal therebetween for entrapping air around the can.
 5. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further including a can-piercing element terminating in a sharp rigid point and carried within said upper annular sleeve member, said element having a separate wedging portion integral thereto and disposed above the point of said element to deflect a portion of the can lid radially inwardly to form an enlarged opening in the top of the can.
 6. A beverage can drinking holder according to claim 1 further including an annular sleeve of heat-reflective material extending from one of said annular members to the other into sealing engagement therewith and forming an annular zone of thermal insulation encircling the can between the last named said sleeve and said can. 